Buses reject lane share with bikes

posted Oct 21, 2012, 3:22 PM by Peter Campbell

A PROPOSAL to allow cyclists to ride in most of Melbourne's dedicated bus lanes has been attacked by the bus industry, which argues it would increase the risk of fatalities.VicRoads has proposed letting cyclists use priority bus lanes in a draft policy intended to relieve road congestion. It says a public education campaign would be launched beforehand, to avoid increasing the risk of collisions and conflict between cyclists and bus drivers. But Bus Association Victoria attacked the proposal, arguing it would slow down buses and increase the risk of a deadly accident.

Tim Brennan, a researcher with the UTS Institute for Sustainable Futures, said the major concern among cyclists was being overtaken by buses at close range, and among bus drivers of cyclists' sometimes unpredictable movements.

Bicycle Network Victoria spokesman Garry Brennan said an education campaign on sharing the road would be required to reduce conflict.